His hits include "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free," "Fortress Around Your Heart," "Russians," "We'll Be Together," "All This Time," "If I Ever Lose My Faith In You," "Fields of Gold" and "When We Dance." Sting's collaborated with Cheb Mami ("Desert Rose"), Bryan Adams and Rod Stewart ("All For Love") and Eric Clapton ("It's Probably Me"). And, of course, before any of that, he was a member of The Police (lead vocalist and bassist) and their hits included "Roxanne," "Don't Stand So Close To Me," "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da," "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic," "Spirits In The Material World," "Every Breath You Take," "Wrapped Around Your Finger," "Synchronicity II" and "King Of Pain."

Teaming up brings out the best in each artist and 44/876 ranks as one of their liveliest albums. You hear, for example, "Don't Make Me Wait" just once and you're humming it for days after.

"Morning Is Coming" stresses, "Wake up, it's a beautiful day" and it certainly is a beautiful song. Sting and Shaggy bring a renewed energy to these tracks. Especially with "Sad Trombone" which may be my favorite track on the album.

This is the strongest album Shaggy or Sting has released in years. For both artists, a sameness was setting in and the albums appeared to be done by rote. The life in these 12 tracks will surprise many.
44/876 is the perfect summer album -- perfect for blasting while laying out in the blazing sun, perfect for driving around, perfect for relaxing with in the shade.

I would love for Sting and Shaggy to reteam for a follow up but, even more than that, I'd love to see the energy and spontaneity found here show up on their next solo albums.

About Me

We do not open attachments. Stop e-mailing them. Threats and abusive e-mail are not covered by any privacy rule. This isn't to the reporters at a certain paper (keep 'em coming, they are funny). This is for the likes of failed comics who think they can threaten via e-mails and then whine, "E-mails are supposed to be private." E-mail threats will be turned over to the FBI and they will be noted here with the names and anything I feel like quoting.
This also applies to anyone writing to complain about a friend of mine. That's not why the public account exists.